Rural riverside are restricted geographic areas
with poor health care system. Limited data exist on the
magnitude of dehydration and renal disorders in these
areas. The present study sought to determine the
prevalence and association patterns of dehydration, kidney
injury and urinary tract infections (UTIs) among rural
riverside populations in Bayelsa State. A cross sectional
study design was employed. Socio-demographic data were
collected using a structured questionnaire. Biomarkers for
UTIs (leukocyturia and nitrituria), kidney injury
(haematuria and proteinuria) and dehydration (specific
gravity (> 1.020) and dark urine) were measured using
dipstick and visual urinalysis. A total of 732 individuals
[males: 343; females: 389; median age 39.5 years (15 – 64
years)], participated in the study. Prevalence of
dehydration, kidney injury and UTIs were 80%, 6.3% and
79.1% respectively. Leukocyturia (67.9%) was the
commonest, followed by specific gravity >1.020 (62.3%),
dark urine (58.5%), nitrituria (51.6%), proteinuria (4%),
and haematuria (2.1%). Kidney injury was associated with
UTIs. Significant associations were found among the
biomarkers (P < 0.05): Leukocyturia was associated with
proteinuria and nitrituria, while specific gravity >1.020
was associated with dark urine and nitrituria. None of the
urinary abnormalities were associated with marital status.
Age 18 – 45 years was associated with dehydration. More
males than females had leukocyturia, dark urine and
dehydration. A high prevalence of dehydration and UTIs
exist in rural riverside areas in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A
call for habitual water intake as well as UTI and kidney
disorder interventions in rural riverside communities is
implicated in this study.
Keywords : Dehydration; kidney injury; UTIs; rural riverside; Bayelsa State; Nigeria.